Author

Anastasija Vasiljeva

When I was a child I had a dream of visiting Australia in order to see Sydney’s Opera House and the red sands of the desert, to pet kangaroos and dive into the powerful waves of the ocean. When I turned 20, I went on my first long trip – a trip to Viña del Mar in Chile.

I still remember the scent of air...

...when I got off the plane. In half a second I got teary-eyed, and emotional, like never before. That feeling was amazing! After that I was addicted to travelling… and nobody could hold me back. Now I have visited over 50 countries around the world, but Viña del Mar is still the place where everything started.

I love travelling; it gives me a feeling of freedom, and it fills my life with unforgettable memories and lasting emotions. As a landscape architect I adore nature. And as an engineer I admire cities. I love luxurious recreation and adventurous travelling. I have walked 800 kilometers through mountains and deserts, cycled around the islands and travelled throughout Europe by train. There are so many ways to experience life!

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West

1. What is your favourite place on Earth?

There are so many places I am absolutely in love with, but Viña del Mar in Chile is still my favourite place. There is just something special about it.

2. Which hotel are you most happy to wake up in in the morning?

One of the things I value most about hotels is the view. It doesn’t really matter whether it is a top luxury penthouse in a big city or a cabin in the mountains as long as the scenery around it can be seen from my room. The two places I have loved the most so far were Swissôtel The Stamford in Singapore, and a cabin with an astonishing view of a fjord in Norway.